All Saints Church in Darfield - Part 2

A detail of weathered sandstone on the north elevation

Having had a good look at the tower of All Saints church in Darfield, where evidence of different phases of building is evident from the different styles of masonry in the upper and lower stages, I then proceeded to examine the north elevation. 

A general view along the north elevation

The west end of the north aisle is built out of large ashlar blocks, which contrasts with the coursed rubble masonry of the tower, and the medium grained sandstone here is often quite orange in colour. The general iron staining often appears as distinct bands, known to geologists as Liesegang rings, and weathered blocks often show cross-bedding. 

The west window of the north aisle

The narrow arched window is in the Decorated Gothic style – c.1290-1350 - with the window tracery having elements of the reticulated and the flowing curvilinear form that developed from it. Also, the door is probably of the same age.

A blocked door in the north aisle

Moving to the north elevation of the north aisle, the various mouldings and string course beneath the window continue unbroken and there is no change in the style of masonry, although the windows are flat headed with their tracery having similar patterns to that seen in the west end; however, flat headed windows are often associated with the Perpendicular Gothic style and the church guides attributes the north aisle to the C15.

Rosettes beneath the eaves of the north aisle

At eaves level, there are finely carved rosette like details that could easily be missed and which are the only decoration on this elevation of the church and, looking up at the clerestory, the arched windows - with an unusual style of tracery – provide further evidence of the C14 style. 

The clerestory

Carrying along the north elevation, and not being able to take a good general photo because of the restricted plot, as a geologist I was particularly interested in the Mexborough Rock that has been exposed by weathering here. 

Flat headed windows in the north aisle

Like the Mexborough Rock that I know very well as the “Rotherham Red” sandstone, the stone is full of clay ironstone pellets and is not particularly durable. This is evidenced by large areas of masonry that have been deeply scoured or have begun to develop cavernous decay. 

Liesegang rings in the Mexborough Rock

The choir vestry was built in 1905 and has no noteworthy features, but at the end of the north elevation, the chapel dates to the C15 and the Perpendicular Gothic style window has tracery that has simple panels with cusps and a horizontal transom, which is very different to the flowing tracery previously seen.

The north window of the north chapel